Microsoft Extends Windows 7 Beta Availability (Again) To Feb 12

Despite having "more than enough beta testers and feedback," the Windows 7 team is extending the availability of the free preview download through Feb. 12, with two firm deadlines. Here's the breakdown:

Both the 2.4GB downloads and the activation keys are still available, but are limited now, as today is the last day of the no-limit downloading Microsoft enacted after the first day went a little bit haywire. If you grabbed a key but not the download, or the other way around, here's the dates you should mark down:

New ISO dowloads not available after Feb. 10: But those who "already started their Windows 7 Beta download and have not yet finished will still be able to finish their download and are encouraged to do so," according to the Windows 7 team. We're assuming that means those with registration keys can jump in and grab their file, but registration keys will stop being available after this day.

All downloads stop after Feb. 12: Even if you've got a key handy, Microsoft will not be providing the ISOs for download. You'll have to look to BitTorrent or other file-swapping locations; from what we've seen, registration keys work on non-official "M1" betas.

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